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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio field hockey team (7-10, 3-5 MAC) concluded the 2024 regular season on Friday afternoon (Nov. 1) in Athens, defeating Central Michigan (3-13, 0-8 MAC), 3-2, at Pruitt Field on Senior Day.
Prior to the start of today's match, Ohio honored their five seniors,
Macy Lotze (Louisville, Ky.),
Noa Desmaretz (Antwerp, Belgium),
Bodhi Littlefield (Oakland, Maine),
Merle Kal (Haarlem, The Netherlands) and
Meela Kopp (Louisville, Ky.).
"It's pretty emotional, to be honest. I kind of get my tears out in the morning so that I can be more composed for the game," head coach
Ali Johnstone said. "This morning, I took some time and I reflected while taking my dog for a walk. A couple of them have been here for five years. It's emotional. They're so special and I hold them dear to my heart."
Overall, Ohio outshot CMU, 15-10, with nine shots on goal to CMU's six. Ohio also drew five corners and recorded three saves, while CMU had one corner and five saves.
Individually, Desmaretz led the Bobcats with one goal on five shots with two on goal, while Littlefield added a goal on two shots with two on goal. Junior
Sasha Dikotla (Johannesburg, South Africa) recorded a goal as well, with four shots, two of them on goal. Junior
Emily Risser (Palmyra, Pa.) registered two assists with one shot on goal, while Kopp also added an assist on two shot attempts.
In goal, Lotze got the start and played all 60 minutes, allowing two goals and making three saves.
The Bobcats opened the first quarter on fire, drawing a penalty corner just 90 seconds into the game. The Bobcats continued to put pressure on the CMU defense over the first 15 minutes, however, the Ohio was unable to capitalize, sending the game to the second scoreless.
The Bobcats struck in the 23
rd minute in the second quarter with Desmaretz scoring her fist goal of the season on her senior day. However, CMU struck seconds later, tying the game at 1-1 with less than seven minutes to go in the half. After CMU put pressure on the Ohio defense, Ohio drew a corner in the 28
th minute, setting up Littlefield to score her own senior day goal, with an assist from Risser, giving Ohio a 2-1 lead going into the half.
"I think we're very lucky that all our parents got to be here," Desmaretz said "It's like extra motivation to go for it, score goals and do our best."
At the half, Ohio outshot CMU, 11-6, with Ohio drawing four corners to CMU's zero. Meanwhile, Ohio recorded four saves to CMU's five.
Central Michigan opened the third quarter capitalizing on their first corner of the match, scoring in the 38
thminute to tie the game at 2-2 early in the third quarter. Ohio responded just three minutes later, capitalizing on another penalty corner, setting up with Dikotla for goal with assists from Risser and Kopp, putting the Bobcats up 3-2 going into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter saw both teams trading opportunities in each other's offensive zones. With the Bobcats still leading with about four minutes to go, CMU pulled their keeper, opting for an empty goal and an extra field member for the remainder of the match. In the 59
th minute, Ohio just missed the open net goal, however, it would not matter, as the Ohio defense kept CMU off the board, securing the 3-2 victory.
"I think with each year, the team has grown so much," Littlefield said. "I think we focus a lot on our culture and creating a very good culture, and just working hard every day, trying to make the program better."
That concludes the regular season for Ohio field hockey. The Bobcats await their postseason fate, which will be decided later this evening.
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